By Sule Aliyu, Gombe
Vice President Kashim Shettima has reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment to driving economic revival and development in the North East region of the country.
He stated this on Wednesday while laying the foundation for the new headquarters of the North East Development Commission (NEDC) in Maiduguri, Borno state capital.
Shettima also flag off construction of about 22.38 kilometres Jere road bowl at the cost of N20.4 billion, in addition to commissioning of Agricultural inputs for eligible farmers in the region.
The ceremony was performed at the temporary head office in Maiduguri, after which the VP and his entourage proceeded to Koshebe and Dusuman communities of Jere local government area where the road project embarked upon by the Commission was unveiled.
The Krestnews recall that the construction of the NEDC Head Office was contracted to Lubell Nigeria Ltd, while the phase II Jere road was awarded to a Chine Construction Firm (EEC).
The VP said “The North East Development Commission (NEDC) is a product of the people, and it shall serve the interests of the nation. Every organization that aspires to influence the welfare and future of society must draw its core from the people it sets out to serve. It is this foundational principle that guides the North East Development Commission (NEDC). This institution, therefore, embodies our collective resolve to transform the narrative of this region—from one marred by despair and devastation to one defined by renewal and triumph.
“The NEDC is a critical engine driving the development of the North-East. In the face of adversity, it has demonstrated resilience, vision, and an unyielding dedication to its mission. This laying of new infrastructure for its head office doesn’t only bring it closer to the people but invites them to be first-row stakeholders in the implementation of programs aimed at economic revitalization.
According to him, the foundation-laying ceremony is a step towards fulfilling His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s promise to prioritize initiatives that safeguard the interests of the North-East and this promise is not merely a political commitment but a moral obligation to the people who have endured so much and deserve nothing less than a future defined by peace, stability, and prosperity.”
“The head office we gather to commence today is not just a building. It is a fortress of our shared aspirations as a people with shared objectives. This head office shall symbolize the strength of our collective will to rebuild, to restore, and to rise above the challenges that have long hindered the progress of the North-East.
“As we lay this foundation, we do so with a vision of a North-East that is vibrant, resilient, and forward-looking. We do so imagining our contributions to building a nation where every child has access to quality education, where healthcare is accessible to all, where infrastructure supports thriving economies, and where peace and security are the bedrock of daily life.
“Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, we can only reclaim and shape the narrative of this region if each of us stands together. Every part of this country looks to us to transform our story of anguish into one of revival and triumph. This is an opportunity for us to do so, and this new head office shall serve as a hub of innovation and a center for strategic planning that guides the North-East towards a brighter future.
“I extend my heartfelt gratitude to all those who have contributed to making this day a reality. The NEDC is here to build a future that reflects the true spirit and potential of the North-East.” Shettima stated.
Speaking Gombe State Governor Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya, who is also the Chairman of the Northern States Governors commanded President Bola Ahmad Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima for their support to the NEDC in discharging its statutory mandate.
The NSGF Chairman said since its inception, the NEDC has been playing a pivotal role in supporting the six states of the sub-region especially in addressing critical infrastructure deficits, intervention in agriculture, education and several other initiatives.
“I stand with immense pride before you today at this momentous foundation laying ceremony of the North East Development Commission’s Head Office in Maiduguri. Let me say that the NEDC has been playing a critical role in promoting development across our region, addressing critical infrastructure deficits, providing significant intervention in agriculture, education, health care and other sectors in order to foster socio-economic growth”, the Governor Said
He added that “Today’s events are a testament to the unwavering support the NEDC has been receiving from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima, whose leadership has been instrumental in our journey in this sub-region towards recovery and prosperity. As we lay this foundation and perform the other functions later, I appeal to all stakeholders to maintain strong support for this commission to ensure that it fully delivers on its statutory mandate of transforming the Northeast.”
In his welcome address, the Managing Director, NEDC, Goni Alkali said, Section 9 (1) of the Commission’s Act provides that “the Commission shall have its head office in Maiduguri, Borno State and shall establish an office in each Member State of the North-East Zone, Therefore, the foundation laying ceremony we are about to witness is in fulfilment of the law establishing the Commission. Also, regarding State Offices, we have already achieved over 90% progress in the construction of such offices in most Member States.” He said.
The upcoming Edifice according to Alkali, is an iconic 8-floor structure with Basement and Mezzanine Floors. Apart from its adequate and conducive office spaces, the complex will have other state-of-the-art ancillary facilities such as an expansive Parking Space, Conference Rooms, Prayer Halls, Restaurants and Catering Facilities, Sick Bay, Gymnasium/Creche, Exhibition Halls and Humanitarian Center, among others.
Continuing: “The Commission is currently implementing the North-East Stabilization and Development Master Plan (NESDMP), a holistic roadmap consisting of 11 Pillars that cut across various sectors. The Pillars are fashioned to propel the Socio- economic development and long-term prosperity in the North-East Region.
“The Master Plan, which is in tandem with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Present Administration requires synergy, cooperation and collaboration by all Stakeholders to make meaningful impact.
“In sync with the Master Plan, His Excellency, the Vice President will also today perform the ground-breaking ceremony for the Phase 2 of the Jere Bowl Road Network which spans 22.38Km. It is gratifying to note that the ground-breaking ceremony for the first phase covering 22.5km was done by His Excellency, the Vice President in 2023 and is now over 95% completed. This road network of 44.88Km that passes through the famous rice producing Communities of Galamari, Dusuman, Ngowom, Koshebe, Gongulong, Zabarmari and
“Khaddamari will improve free movement of people and goods, thereby stimulating economic activities through food production, processing agribusiness, as well as enhance security in the area.
“Another milestone event today is the official launch by His Excellency, the Vice President of the Commission’s Agricultural Interventions in the North-East Region towards boosting food production, processing and food security in general. The Commission has acquired and is set to distribute assorted and diverse units of agricultural machines, implements, inputs and other processing equipment to eligible farmers across all the 18 Senatorial Districts in the region.
These include Tractors, Tillage Implements, Trailers, Planters, Harvesters, Rice and Oil Mills, among others. There would be an interfacing Committee between the States and the Commission for effective distribution and monitoring.
“There are many other infrastructural projects being executed simultaneously in other Member States including inter-and intra-State Roads, Mass Housing and Mega School projects and of most prominence is our Plan to introduce E-Mobility within the entire region. Your Excellency, within this year alone, many on-going multisectoral milestone projects will be completed, and we will respectively invite you for their commissioning.
“We will continue to roll out relevant and demand-driven Human Capital Development Initiatives, Youth and Women Empowerment Programmes, Stabilization and Sustainable Development Infrastructural Projects for the Short, Medium and Long-term Socio-Economic benefit of the people of the North-East Region. We call on all Stakeholders, including Federal MDAs, Development Partners and the Private Sector, to key into the Regional Master Plan and join us in re-building a Safe, Peaceful, Enterprising and Prosperous Region” Alkali stated.
In his goodwill message, Chairman of NEDC Board, Major General Paul Tarfa (Rtd) appreciated President Tinubu and his Vice, Senator Kashim Shettima and the security agencies for providing enabling environment for the Commission to fulfil its mandates, as peace return in the North Easte.
Governor Inuwa Yahaya was accompanied on the trip by the Hon. Commissioner of Special Duties and Regional Integration, Hon. Shehu Umar Yerima Abdullahi alongside other senior aides of the Governor and some selected Journalists.